Canadian model Lauren Chan says Selena Gomez ‘hits the nail on the head’ with body image post

Canadian Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Lauren Chan took to Instagram on Sunday with a message on harmful beauty standards in Hollywood. She commended Selena Gomez for her impactful recent stance on body positivity.

Last month, Gomez’s shared a photo to Instagram stories of herself in a bikini from a decade ago, accompanied by the caption, “Today I realized I will never look like this again.” In a second story post, Gomez shared a more recent swimsuit photo with on-screen text reading, “I’m not perfect but I am proud to be who I am. Sometimes I forget that it’s okay to be me.”

Referencing the Gomez recently shared on her Instagram story, Chan said, “I think she really hits the nail on the head here by calling out the way that industries like entertainment and fashion view the body of almost prepubescent women as beauty standards.”

Chan stitched herself into the video, endorsing Gomez’s vulnerability and shedding light on the industry’s role in perpetuating unrealistic ideals.

Chan noted in the clip that the beauty industry “tricks” women into believing they can attain “impossible” standards. She emphasized Gomez’s openness as a powerful demonstration that “even if you are the most followed woman on Instagram, one of the biggest musical stars of our time and a successful business woman,” you can still struggle with self-acceptance.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself today. It is okay to just be you no matter what you look like. Don’t take it from me, take it from Selena Gomez,” Chan added.

In her caption, the model reiterated her praise for Gomez’s vulnerability and reflected on how she found her message relatable.

“I don’t know how many years I held onto jeans from my teenage years, or had the size of my junior prom dress burned into my mind,” Chan wrote. “I’m so glad to be free from chasing an impossible standard: a not-yet-grown-up girl.”

Fans applauded Chan for amplifying Gomez’s message in the comments.

“Love this!,” an Instagram user shared. “My hope is we get to a place where we don’t discuss any body, whatever shape, size.”

“Wish I could get my brain to agree with me. Years of staring in the mirror and not seeing what I want… Posts like this make me feel seen,” another commenter wrote.

“Like, goodness grief — everyone’s bodies change! As we should! Thanks for sharing,” another person added.

Last month, Chan praised another celebrity for their vulnerability around body image. The Brantford, Ont. native posted an Instagram reel featuring a clip from a 2023 Teen Vogue interview with singer and actress Reneé Rapp. In the original video, the “Mean Girls” star expressed her frustration with public comments about her body.

“The conversation around my body is f—ing stupid. Just shut the f—k up. You’re obsessed,” Rapp said. “It definitely hurts my feelings on a certain level. I think it’s harmful, I think it’s stupid — but also, again, obsessed. Like, shut up.”

In her caption, she gave Gen Z their flowers for hitting back at body-shamers with a “powerful” attitude.

“This Gen Z attitude is powerful — but I get a lot of questions about how to genuinely feel this level of body neutrality. For me, it started with studying the beauty standard and finding plot holes; so, let’s start there,” she wrote.

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